"This is not so pleasant," observed Robert. "But I suppose we have got to take the bitter with the sweet."
"I shall be thankful if we don't go to the bottom," said Mrs. Vernon, with a shudder.
The storm lasted for twelve hours, and then departed as speedily as it had come, and the balance of the trip proved ideal, for at night there was a full moon, making the ocean look like one vast sheet of silver.
It was about four o'clock of an afternoon when they came in sight of New York harbor. From a distance they made out the statue of Liberty.
"Home again!" cried Robert. "I tell you there is nothing so good as the United States."
"Right you are, young man," replied a gentleman standing near. "I have traveled in many foreign countries, but give me the States every time."
They anchored at Quarantine over night, and landed at the pier ten o'clock the next morning. One day was spent in New York, and then they took the train for Chicago.
It made Robert's heart swell with delight to tread the familiar streets of Chicago once more. It seemed to him that he had been away a long time.
Mrs. Vernon had sent word ahead that she was coming, and at the depot a coach awaited her to take the lady and Robert to the handsome mansion of Prairie Avenue. Here Martha, the maid, met them at the door, her good-natured face wreathed in smiles.
"Welcome home again, Mrs. Vernon!" she cried joyfully. "And glad to see you, Master Robert."